GLACIERS, WATERFALLS & GEYSERS 2006

4 days / 3 nights, Reykjavik - Skogar - Skaftafjell - Landmannalaugar - Geysir -

Gullfoss -Þingvellir National Park - Reykjavik

French / English
Mondays, May 01, 15* / June 12, 26,* / July 17 / August 07*, 21 / Sep 04,*, 18

Scandinavian / English
Mondays, May 29* / July 10, 24*

German / English
Mondays, May 08 *, 22 / June 05,19* / July 03, 31 / August 14*, 28 / Sep 11*, 25

We start by visiting Hveragerði, a horticultural center, where geothermal water is used to warm greenhouses. The main products are varying kinds of vegetables and flowers. We travel over fertile farmlands and sand flats by the glacial river Markarfljót, heading to Skógar. There we visit the local folk museum before continuing to Reynisfjall /Dyrhólaey promontory (closed during the nesting period until June 25th). Driving on to the vicinity of Vatnajökull glacier, we visit both the glacial lagoon and Skaftafell National Park, which was set aside in 1968 as one of Iceland's most outstanding areas of natural beauty. At the glacial lagoon we take a boat trip among the floating icebergs. The tour follows the Fjallabaksleið interior track to Landmannalaugar when road conditions permit. (Fjallabaksleið track is not expected to be open until middle of June.) In Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s natural hot pools, where you can take a refreshing bath.

Day 1 Mon REYKJAVIK - SOUTH SHORE - KIRKJUÆJARKLAUSTUR (B, D)
Breakfast at your hotel. Morning departure to Hveragerði, a horticultural centre, where geothermal water is used to warm up greenhouses with varying kinds of vegetables and flowers. From there, the drive takes us across fertile farmlands and the sand flats of Markarfljót river, across glacial rivers to Skógar for a visit to the local folk museum. On to Reynisfjall and Dyrhólaey (closed during the nesting period until June 25th), a natural reserve. The promontory there is a massive natural arch carved by the relentless pounding of the winds and surf, whose sounds provide an accompaniment to the cries of the countless thousands of seabirds which nest in its every crevice. Continue to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent for overnight stay, for the next two nights.

Day 2 Tue SKAFTAFELL - GLACIAL LAGOON - JÖKULSÁRLÓN (B, D)
We drive from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell National Park. Established in 1968, this is one of Iceland's most outstanding areas of natural beauty, dominated by Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe's largest ice plateau. Continue to the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, broken off the ever-shifting mass of Breiðamerkur-jökull Glacier, float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon, providing a surreal backdrop for a cruise with a difference. Overnight again at Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 3 Wed KIRKJUBAEJARKLAUSTUR - LANDMANNALAUGAR OR PÓRSMÖRK VALLEY (B, PL, D)
Get a taste of adventure! From Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the tour follows the Fjallabaksleið interior track to Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is a magnificent area surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains where you have the option of bathing in a natural warm pool. From Landmannalaugar to Þjórsárdalur valley through which Þjórsá, Iceland's longest river (240 km) flows. The valley is dominated by the celebrated volcano Hekla, which last interrupted in year 2000. Overnight at Flúðir.
If road to Landmannalaugar is closed due to road conditions (spring) we drive through lava fields and washed out sands formed by floods from the glacial volcano Katla on to the village Vík, passing the two beautiful waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. Then to Þórsmörk Valley, a picturesque site beneath glaciers. Overnight at Flúðir.

Day 4 Thu FLUDIR - GULLFOSS - ÞINGVELLIR - REYKJAVÍK (B)
Departure for the Geysir area to see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a hot spring powerfully spouting every few minutes, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. We visit the Geocentre at Geysir, where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, waterfalls and glaciers come alive. On to Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. The next stop is Þingvellir National Park, where the ancient parliament met outdoors for centuries on the shores of Iceland's largest lake. Return to Reykjavík in the afternoon. End of program.

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Departure Dates 2006

French / English, Mondays
May 01, 15* / June 12, 26,* / July 17 /

August 07*, 21 / Sep 04,*, 18

Scandinavian / English, Mondays
May 29* / July 10, 24*

German / English, Mondays
May 08 *, 22 / June 05,19* / July 03, 31 /

August 14*, 28 / Sep 11*, 25

* Guaranteed departures

Prices in US Dollars

Glaciers, Waterfalls & Geysers, 4 days